MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
My friend and I have decided to do our CBT on Saturday on a bit of a whim as we've always wanted to have a go but not got around to it.
We don't really know any motor bikers so we'd like some personal recommendations on what boots to get or avoid and what are the best places online for gear?
We'll be doing our direct access shortly after as well and likely getting a 125 or 250 enduro bike and a cafe racer project on the go.
Both over 25 and have over 6 years driving experience.
In order of importance:
Helmet
Gloves (summer+winter)
Jacket
Boots
Trousers
Personally I'd probably try a decent local shop, it might cost a bit more but this is your personal protection you're paying for, and properly fitting kit is an important part of that - it's not something to be cutting too many corners on.
Hmmmm JEans and the sturdiest boots possible for Saturday really mate.
In all honesty, you will decide what you wear long term yourself.
i SHOULD wear full leathers.. but i rarely do. I wear a high quality helmet, gloves. But then a decent jacket and a pair of jeans and 5 10 impacts 🙂
Hein Gericke used to be good until they went bang in the UK. However, they are starting up again in a limited way. Ghost Bikes in Preston (and online) seem good value. I favour a fabric jacket and leather pants, but i've also got a leather jacket, too. You certainly don't need to buy Alpinestars or Dianese to get quality. Scott Leathers (made in Barnard Castle) are good value. Alt-berg boots (made in Richmond)also. Triumph gear is good, as is BMW. It's a minefield ...
not saying it's right, but I only ever wore my gore-tex mountaineering jacket, jeans and walking boots even at 150mph. For your CBT, get a decent lid and wear boots not trainers. Simple
Don't need anything other than decent boots (walking boots/combat boots), heavy jeans and a good stout jacket for your CBT. The training center will provide everything you need beyond that.
If you are desperate to spend some money now then then a reasonable textile jacket (Buffalo etc), probably some decent gloves (Spada Enforcer - about the best waterproof glove you can get without it costing a fortune), and a lid - go to the shop, try everything on and buy what fits properly with no hot spots.
Trousers and boots can wait a bit longer 😉
Then prepare to spend a fortune on different bits of kit! I think I currently have 2 sets of leathers, a set of textiles, 2 helmets, 5 pairs of gloves and 4 pairs of boots!
Personally I'd probably try a decent local shop, it might cost a bit more but this is your personal protection you're paying for, and properly fitting kit is an important part of that - it's not something to be cutting too many corners on.
^^that
second hand crash helmets - no, never. You don't need to go mental, but kite mark and the racing mark, make sure it has them both
gloves - quality leather, check the stitching, hard covers over the knuckles and preferably 2nd joints
jacket - armoured - shoulders, elbow, spine, forearms. heavy leather or 1000 denier textile. stitching again, as this will take the brunt of any slide
boots - steel shank in sole to prevent foot folding forward, armoured at ankle and shin
trousers, leather or teflon lined jeans, armoured at hips, knees and preferably shins
jacket and jeans should zip together so they don't ride up during unplanned gravel collections
a lot of money spent, and hopefully you'll never get the benefit of it, but a 70 mph slide alog an a road including an interface with some roadside furniture would teach you it's money well spent
EDIT - all longer term stuff, check with school for loan equipment
I bought some cracking gloves on Ebay, they got the best rating in RIDE mag even though only cheap.
Tuzo
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=tuzo+gloves&_sacat=0&_from=R40
not saying it's right, but I only ever wore my gore-tex mountaineering jacket, jeans and walking boots even at 150mph.
you should hang around a&e sometime and see the scooter kids that come in after coming off at around 50
on the plus side, goertex+150+no armour means you'll hardly notice being dropped out of the gene pool
The school can loan you helmet, jacket and gloves.
as an ex motorcycle instructor, my advice for footwear for cbt would be sturdy trainers or shoes. if you're learning to change gear, big stiff boots are not going to help.
I had to swap boots with a student going to test once as he'd turned up in brand new motorcycle boots. Couldn't change gear to save his life and very lumpy on the back brake.
Never had anyone hurt more than pride on a cbt.
you should hang around a&e sometime and see the scooter kids that come in after coming off at around 50
on the plus side, goertex+150+no armour means you'll hardly notice being dropped out of the gene pool
LOL stop it.
there are many ways to die... i've crashed in full leathers and been hurt, crashed in jeans and not been hurt...
there are many ways to die... i've crashed in full leathers and been hurt, crashed in jeans and not been hurt...
You should try not crashing, that usually doesn't hurt
BBSB, that was certainly the method I taught and encouraged.
You should try not crashing, that usually doesn't hurt
A fine logic, but over-exubeance of youth followed by an attempt at club racing meant that wasn't always an option.
Borrow what you can from the school. If they can provide a helmet I'd probably turn up in jeans, waterproof and walking boots. Not the best protection but just about better than nothing and just as good as the very best kit so long as you don't come off 😀
edit: and gloves, I'd want gloves.
Thanks guys - great places to start - I don't have any boots handy so think I'm going to go and buy some sturdy high top walking boots or see if I can get hold of any worn in bike boots before the day
see if I can get hold of any worn in bike boots before the day
Careful of this, I've got some boots that look fine (and if you were in Madrid you'd be welcome to them) but they leak around the sole, which is a complete pain in the winter. After a few days of wet feet I ended up replacing them.
If you're near Nottingham and a similar size to me, I've got quite a selection of kit I'd happily sell.
Def go with borrowing jacket etc if time is short but would get your own helmet. Dunno if its the same for MTB lids but bike helmets really vary in shape. I find Arai's fit me best but could never get on with Shark
All helmets will have an ACU sticker but as with most things you get what you pay for. Would recommend an HJC as a good compromise of cost and fit.
Also as with MTB kit it's the end of summer so some really good bargains out there.
Try Poole Motorcycles if you're on the south coast.
Protect the bits that stick out (head, hands, feet - and knees/elbows longer term), and then cover the rest in fabric that won't tear.
What size of boot? I have Sidi Vertigo's in a box,uk7 (upgraded to another Sidi so these have sat for ages) but could post them down if you don't want to splash out on stuff. You wouldn't really be wanting to do the cbt in full enduro kit so these would be a start! Yes, size 7 is probably too small but worth a mention.
Take waterproofs. Hefty shoes will do. Even MTB gloves will be ok if not wet.
Thanks for all the kind offers guys - I'm in the North West at the moment so not that close to any of you sadly - also size 10 boots. I'm going to try some helmets on today and have a gander around some bike shops as its something I've never done
Quick boot question - is it best to get the longer style boot or is something like this just as good?
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/61125#reviews
on the plus side, goertex+150+no armour means you'll hardly notice being dropped out of the gene pool
to be fair, the goretex and the no armour are the least important parts of that equation...
Just remembered this instructional video. It covers what to wear, how to ride and sums up the very essence of motorcycling for me.
dorrp i love this video!
Quick boot question - is it best to get the longer style boot or is something like this just as good?
Longer style is better for winter, and for protection. But I'm sitting here in some summer-style bike trainers, at least they protect the ankle.